Patriots DE Jabaal Sheard embraces his versatilty

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(5/5/15) Patriots newcomer Jabaal Sheard will have a stable position at defensive end, which could prove beneficial to his career. He is coming from a Cleveland team that used three different defensive coordinators during his time there and utilized him both as a defensive end in a 4-3 and outside linebacker in a 3-4.

The Patriots generally remain in a four-man front. But Sheard is claiming an appreciation for the Browns for developing his versatility.

"Throughout the course of the years, I learned three different defenses," Sheard told NESN. "I learned how to drop back. It made me diverse and able to do a number of different things. I think the three defensive coordinators definitely helped me. I think it prepared me to be a coach some day. We'll see how that goes."

Sheard's sack totals decreased every year until the last one with the Browns. It peaked at 8.5 as a rookie before dropping to seven and 5.5 the next two seasons.

Former Browns DE Jabaal Sheard signs with Patriots

Dealing with a foot injury in 2014, Sheard only had two sacks in 16 games. The Browns weren't expected to re-sign Sheard. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Sheard signed a two-year, $11 million deal with $5.5 million guaranteed.

In four years with the Browns, Sheard recorded 190 tackles and 23 sacks.

Report: OLB Jabaal Sheard to visit Patriots

(3/10/15) Outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard is scheduled to visit the Patriots Tuesday, per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. There is no deal in place at this time.

Sheard, 25, has played the last four years for the Browns since the team drafted him in the second round in 2011. He has compiled 190 total tackles, 23 sacks, 12 passes defensed and seven forced fumbles.

Quartet of questionables cleared Sunday by Browns

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(12/28/14) Four key Browns defenders deemed questionable for the Sunday game in Baltimore are ready to roll. Included are cornerbacks Joe Haden (shoulder) and K'Waun Williams (hamstring). The others are end Desmond Bryant (thumb) and linebacker Jabaal Sheard (foot).